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Solids Handling

Vacuum conveying system achieves high batch accuracy

Designed for use in the chemical, pharmaceutical and food industries, the Batch Weigh Vacuum Convey System (photo) delivers powders and granules to process vessels with accuracies of 0.5% of the batch size. This type of vacuum conveying system allows for…

This macerator features a cartridge of blades

Netzsch Mohnopumpen The Taskmaster twin-shaft macerator (photo) does not have individually installed cutting blades, but single elements made of special steel comprising six cutters and six spacing rings. To achieve the required particle size, different blade designs are available. The…

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Consider Wet Agglomeration To Improve Powder Flow

Agglomeration is the process of converting fine powder particles into larger particles by the introduction of external forces. Agglomeration is often desirable because the process yields a product that has a higher bulk density, contains less dust, and has improved…

Ask the Experts: Discharging from bulk bags

Question:  Should we convert from manual dumping of sacks to discharging from bulk bags?    Answer: Dry, bulk chemicals have long been purchased in 50-lb (23-kg) paper and plastic sacks for several reasons. In volumes smaller than rail and truckloads,…

Mechanical Centrifugal Air Classifiers

An improved understanding of air classifier systems and their application can help in selecting the right device Mechanical centrifugal air classifiers are used extensively to process aggregates, ceramics, chemicals, foods, minerals, metals, plastics, flyash and other materials. They are normally…

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Lessons in Feedstock Change

These days, there seem to be more reasons than ever to change feedstocks throughout the chemical process industries (CPI). Whether environmental, or more directly based on financial and market drivers, big benefits usually require big changes. This is especially true…

Focus on Feeding & Conveying

Feeder combines speed with accuracy Hapman The PosiPortion feeder (photo) offers a 2-in-1 feed screw option that dramatically improves batch accuracy without compromising speed. A two-speed delivery scheme, consisting of a fast turning “bulk-mode” and a slower “dribble-mode”, are used…

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Using Inserts to Address Solids Flow Problems

Storage of bulk materials in hoppers, bins and silos is ubiquitous in the chemical process industries (CPI), and so are the challenges that go along with it. Flow stoppage (bridging or arching), variability in mixture composition (de-mixing or segregation), erratic…

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A cross-section of insert patents

This table supports the article Using Inserts to Address Solids Flow Problems, CE, July 2010, pp. 32–37. U. S. Patents       Patent # Date Title Inventors 1,731,675 Oct. 15, 1929 Sawdust Feeder McCoy, John C. 2,843,274 Jul. 15,…

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Agglomeration Technology: Equipment Selection

A virtually endless number of process options are available for agglomerating powders in the chemical process industries (CPI). These processes can be divided into two main categories: agitation and compression. Agglomeration by agitation includes granulation processes, such as fluidized-bed, disc,…